Interior Designer Crush: Brad Ramsey

Brad Ramsey’s energetic approach and thoughtful attention to design is invigorating, and the results are spectacular. Brad founded Brad Ramsey Interiors in 2012 and hit the ground running. In the past five years, his work has given dozens of clients spaces they love and live in, and he has been featured on HGTV’s “Interiors Inc.” Each space Brad designs is an experimentation in balance and layering. We admire his ability to combine textures, colors and patterns without overwhelming the eye. He may challenge you to consider a funky light fixture or an unexpected piece of furniture, but his balanced designs are sure to suit your personality and lifestyle. We were thrilled at the chance to ask Brad a few burning questions and are excited to share his responses with you today!

Brad recently completed this installation. Not only are we crushing on Brad, but also on his choice of wallpaper!

Tell us about your early career. When did you decide to open your own firm?

I worked for another design firm for almost five years before I decided to go out on my own. I started as a project manager and eventually worked my way up to taking my own jobs and clients. It was a great learning experience. Design is always different in real life situations than you would think. Learning the finesse of working with clients and handling challenges is best learned by experience.

What is your design aesthetic and how does it set you apart?

I like a well-balanced space with thoughtful layering and textures. It doesn’t matter what the style is, whether modern, contemporary, traditional or transitional, every space needs the correct balance. I’d like to think I have a good instinct for creating well-curated spaces with natural balance.

What is the first question you ask a client?

I like to start with the personal component — tell me about your family, how you live, what makes a house feel like a home. We will get to budget and specifics later, but always personal first!

Can you tell us a bit about your creative process? What is your favorite part? And do you have a least favorite part?

The initial brainstorming sessions are my favorite part of the design process. During this phase, the sky is the limit and it is fun to think outside of the box. I really get a chance to know the client by throwing thoughts and ideas their way to see their reactions. But in the end, I always design to the aesthetic of my clients so that it feels like their home and their space — not mine. As far as what I like the least, that would easily be handling damages and shipping issues. It takes more time and is much more frustrating than we ever let clients know. It is our role to shield them from those “less attractive” parts of the design process.

Upon entering this home designed by Brad Ramsey, your gaze travels across the room to soak in all of the details, which are highlighted by the natural light. Brad was able to blend the couple’s modern and traditional tastes in a balanced manner. He layered the rugs to bring pattern into the seating space without overwhelming it. “Your eye can breathe with the perimeter,” Brad says. Read more here. Image: Wiff Harmer for StyleBlueprint

Brad is able to make the most of a room’s natural light and enhance it through layout and design. Image: Jack Gardner

“We are a full-service design studio,” Brad tells us. “Meaning, we can design the interiors for just one room or we can project manage the selections of an entire construction job from start to finish.” Image: Shannon Fontaine

What has been your most challenging project to date and why?

Recently, we completed a second home for a client that we built in Alys Beach, FL. We did the project completely turn-key, handling even the smallest details. It was a blast and exhausting, too. Out-of-state projects are always more challenging because you can’t just run out to the job site and take a measurement if changes have occurred. It takes a lot of organization from my entire team.

What are your predictions for 2017 interior design trends?

Color is back! We are moving out of the grey neutrals and into more colorful rooms. Neutrals will always be the base of how I design, but I love infusing a space with color and pattern too!

Do you have any go-to stores for interior design finds?

Most of the products I purchase for my clients come from the wholesale accounts I have procured, but a run down to Atlanta to Scott’s Market is always a fun way to grab some unique finds.

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How do you think Nashville’s design scene differs from that of the rest of the country?

We are growing so quickly here in Nashville and have people moving from all over the country, so as a designer this allows me to have a diverse clientele with many different tastes. This keeps things interesting and fun. I would say it is almost impossible to peg Nashville’s design scene as any one thing anymore, but upscale casual seems to be fairly consistent.

Do you have a favorite room in the home to design?

Not specifically. What I love the most is getting to design multiple rooms so that they can each be unique but have a common aesthetic and theme running throughout that allows the home to feel cohesive.

With neutral as a base, Brad adds pops of color into his designs. Image: Shannon Fontaine

Brad’s knack for layering can be seen in each of the rooms he designs. From rugs to coffee table books, pieces are layered for added interest and to maintain balance in the space. Image: Shannon Fontaine

“What I love the most is getting to design multiple rooms so that they can each be unique but have a common aesthetic and theme running throughout that allows the home to feel cohesive,” Brad tells us. Image: Shannon Fontaine

If you could design one person’s home, who would you choose?

Oh, definitely my mom’s! She is always asking me for advice, but they don’t have the budget to do all of the updates that her and my dad’s house needs. If I could get rid of some of their old furniture and give them a fresh new space, that would be my most fulfilling design job!

Having worked for Jonathan Pierce for years, I would have to say that he made a huge impact on my work. Also, I sought out a mentor friendship with Ray Booth of McAlpine when I started my business, and he has been a great role model to have. As far as design crushes, I get them every day for different reasons. Whether it is on Instagram or somewhere else, I am constantly saving inspirational photos to my phone from all sorts of people. Social media has put some of the best inspiration right at our fingertips on a daily basis.

Would you share one designer secret with SB readers?

Don’t select all of your favorite items and try to put them together and make them work. Design should include pieces that play well together. That means you might have to select a simpler table if your chairs are loud and proud, or vice versa. Too many power players in one room makes for bad design.

Brad brought together differing pieces, textures, layers and lines to create a balanced look that represents one couple’s diverse style preferences. Read more about his project here. Image: Wiff Harmer for StyleBlueprint

We adore the various textures of the dresser, bedding and lamp that add interest to this neutral bedroom. Image: Jack Gardner

There is a seamless flow from the dining room to the living room thanks to Brad’s thoughtful design. Image: Jack Gardner

This shot is having us wondering if every room should be home to a telescope! Image: Matt Moran